Top of the Tree: Waffenträger auf E 100

Time to get serious and start dishing out some heavy damage. What better way is there to achieve this goal than by getting yourself a German tank destroyer? That’s right, there is none - especially if you’re getting one of the open-turret models. Follow the research line leading to the infamous Waffenträger auf E 100 and enjoy great discounts and Crew XP bonuses:

Your crews will also be very excited about the new toys in your garage!

These bonuses will be available from 15 October at 07:10 CEST (UTC+2) until 1 November at 06:00 CET (UTC+1).

Waffenträger auf E 100

“Look at all those pitiful little tanks- so innocent, so cheerful, so unaware of the unspeakable horrors that await them.”

Vehicle Overview

If armoured vehicles were sentient beings that believed in the afterlife, their version of the Grim Reaper would undoubtedly be the Waffenträger auf E 100. This tank destroyer is likely the most feared and hated vehicle in Tier X battles and its reputation is as infamous as its dreadful armament. It is indeed the weaponry at the vehicle’s disposal that makes it so intimidating: the WT auf E 100 is equipped with a powerful autoloading system, which is capable of dishing out horrendous amounts of damage in short periods of time. It can essentially bring down any vehicle from full hit-points to zero with just one drum load. Needless to say, getting into the firing range of this German giant is like signing up for your own execution.

It is also worth mentioning that the WT auf E 100 is one of the few Tier X vehicles to have additional research options in terms of guns. However, unlike most of them, the Waffenträger is already extremely dangerous with the stock gun and many owners of this vehicle decide to keep it instead of progressing to the second one.

It’s hard to say which gun is better, because they both have their upsides. Moreover, different players may prefer different characteristics. If you value rate of fire and accuracy above anything else, the 12,8cm gun is definitely what you want to use. Those of you who prefer high alpha damage and the panic it induces may enjoy using the 15cm gun instead. Test both guns and pick the one you find more effective.

However, the WT auf E 100 has a lot of drawbacks, which make playing this vehicle more difficult than you may think. First and foremost, it is huge. The Waffenträger is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) tank destroyers in the game - a fact that is reflected negatively in its camouflage values. Secondly, despite being based on the tough E 100 chassis, the vehicle’s turret is uncomfortably large and covered by 20mm thick plating - not even enough to protect you from Tier I tanks! Last but not least, thanks to its pathetically-armoured open turret and lack of side-skirts, this vehicle is extremely vulnerable to High Explosive Shells. In many cases, it takes just one well-placed artillery shot to make you say “goodbye, cruel world” and hop on a one-way train back to the garage. Moreover, even if you’re hit with just the splash, or shot with HE shells by other tanks, you can expect multiple crew members to be knocked out. Therefore each exposure to the enemy carries a tremendous risk of being eliminated or severely damaged.

The Waffenträger auf E 100 can be described as a textbook example of a “glass cannon”: it can deliver a punch, but is very fragile at the same time. As a result, it needs to be handled with a considered, tactical approach.

Tactics

The first rule when using the WT auf E 100 is stay hidden. This means that your gameplay should be relatively static and sniping oriented. Thick bushes and large obstacles are your best friends – use them as cover at all times. Furthermore, don’t rush to the frontline... ever. Your place is in the second, or even in the third line. If you’re spotted, rest assured that every single enemy vehicle in the area will mark you as their primary target. Of course, camping in your base is not the solution either, as your contribution to the battle will be marginal and all that destructive potential will go to waste. It may be difficult for you at first to determine the optimal distance from the front, but once you get more experienced in the matter your contribution to the fight will be tremendous, if not decisive.

While targeting the enemy, always try to pick the one with the least hit-points. Having an autoloading system gives you the unique opportunity to deliver a huge amount of damage in a matter of seconds, so use that advantage to swiftly reduce the number of guns on the enemy team. If neither of the vehicles that you are aiming at stands out in terms of damage received, go for the most exposed one. The first shot should be aimed at destroying their suspension – this way you’ll make sure that the enemy doesn’t go anywhere and you have a nice little sitting-duck to empty your drum at.

After firing your last shell, always retreat to safety. Regardless of the gun of your choice, replacing the drum takes ages, while leaving you completely defenceless against any assailant. Also, make sure to signal to your team that you are reloading, so that they know for how long they won’t be able to rely on your support.

Last but not least, when you’re spotted, retreat to safety immediately, regardless of what you may be doing. As soon as that Sixth Sense bulb gets lit, or shells start flying in your direction, you ABSOLUTELY need to move back behind cover. It just can’t be stressed enough: when spotted, you are always the primary target for the enemy. Remember that you are the most dangerous threat to the other team, yet one of the most vulnerable vehicles in your team’s setup. The combination of these two variables will always put you as a top priority on the enemy’s “things to destroy” list. As a burning wreck you are not useful to anyone, so staying alive is something you have to take very seriously.

Tank Tip: While driving this tank destroyer, consider using Premium consumables, especially the Large First Aid Kit. If you stay hidden, you won’t be using consumables that often and won’t have to cough up those 20,000 credits per item after every battle. It is important to mention that Premium consumables provide additional passive bonuses when equipped: a Large Repair Kit gives you a 10% bonus to repair speed, a Large First Aid Kit provides a 15% bonus to the crew protection from injuries and Automatic Fire Extinguishers gives you an additional 10% protection from fire. Our recommended setup is a Small Repair Kit,a Large Repair Kit and a Large First Aid Kit. Choosing Chocolate wouldn’t be a bad choice either, as it would give you a 10% bonus to crew skills. However, if you go for that consumable, please bear in mind that you will have to restock it after each battle.

In order to maximise your performance on the battlefield, we suggest installing the following equipment:

Toolbox

Binocular Telescope

Enhanced Gun Laying Drive

In addition, your crew members should learn the following skills and perks:

Commander

Gunner

Driver

Radio Operator

1st Loader

2nd Loader

As always, please consider the setup for both the equipment and crew skills as suggestions. Feel free to experiment on your own and choose what you think works best for you.